Texas Proud and Circle of Gold (Long, Tall Texans #52) - Diana Palmer Page 0,10
time. I was working for a local attorney who moved his practice to San Antonio. But we all knew,” she added. “Everybody talked about it. He actually gave her away at her wedding, didn’t he?”
He nodded. “Tony’s wife died young. He never had kids, never remarried.” He grinned. “He tells everybody he’s Merrie’s dad. Gets a reaction, let me tell you, especially when he mentions that her brother-in-law is a fed.”
She sipped coffee, fascinated by him.
It was mutual. He smiled very slowly, his heart doing odd things in his chest. It had been many years since he’d felt such tenderness for anything female, except his grandmother.
“Do you have family?” he asked suddenly.
Her face clouded. “Not anymore,” she said softly, without elaborating.
“Me, neither,” he replied. “Except for Paulie. We’re first cousins.”
“Mr. Fiore’s nice,” she said.
He nodded. He was thinking about Tony, in hiding and waiting for developments that would save him from life in prison. Mikey had the proof that could save him. But he had to stay alive long enough to present it. Here, in Jacobsville, was his best bet. He’d agreed, knowing how many ex-mercs and ex-military lived here.
But as he stared at this sweet, kind young woman, he thought about the danger he might be putting her in. Even in a foolproof situation, there could be snags. After all, the contract killer who’d been after Merrie actually got onto Ren Colter’s property in Wyoming and had her bedroom staked out before she came back to her sister and brother-in-law.
Bernie cocked her head. “Something’s worrying you.”
He started. “How do you know?”
She drew in a slow breath and averted her eyes. “People think I’m strange.”
He moved a step closer to the bed. “How so?”
She shifted restlessly. “I...well, I sort of know things about people.” She flushed.
He nodded. “Like Merrie. She has that sort of perception. She painted a picture of me that nailed me to a T, and she’d never even met me.”
She looked up. “Oh. Then you’re not...intimidated by strange things.”
He chuckled. “Nothing intimidates me, kid,” he teased.
She smiled.
“So. You think something’s worrying me.” One brown eye narrowed. “What, exactly?”
She drew in a long breath and stared into his eyes. “Somebody wants to keep you from telling something you know,” she said after a minute, and saw the shock hit his face.
“Damn.”
“And it worries you that somebody might hurt anybody around you.”
“Need to get a crystal ball and a kerchief and set up shop,” he teased gently. “You’re absolutely on the money. But that’s between you and me, okay? The fewer people who know things, the fewer can talk about them.”
She nodded. “I don’t talk about things I know, as a rule. I work for the DA’s office. Gossip isn’t encouraged.”
He chuckled. “I guess not.”
Her coffee was now stone-cold, but she sipped it, for something to do.
He stared at her with conflicting emotions. She was unique, he thought. He’d never met anybody in his life like her.
She stared back. Her heart was almost smothering her with its wild beat. She was grateful that she had the covers pulled up, so he couldn’t see her gown fluttering with her heartbeat.
There was another quick knock and Mrs. Brown came in. “Finished, dear?” she asked as she went to pick up the tray. “You can just set that on here, Mr. Fiore,” she told Mikey with a smile. “I’ll...”
He put it on the tray and then took the tray from her. “You’re too delicate to be lifting heavy weights,” he said with a grin. “I’ll carry it for you.”
“Oh, Mr. Fiore,” she laughed, and blushed like a girl. “If you need anything, you just call me, Bernie, ok?”
“I will. Thanks. Both of you,” she added.
Mrs. Brown smiled. As Mikey went through the door, he turned and winked at her.
That wink kept her heart fluttering all day, and it kept her awake most of the night.
* * *
She was able to go to the table for breakfast the next morning, even if she moved with a little difficulty. Her medicines worked slowly, but at least they did work. She had prednisone to take with the worst attacks, and it helped tremendously.
“You look better today,” Mrs. Brown said. “Going to church?”
“Yes,” she replied with a smile. “I’m hitching a ride with the Farwalkers.”
Mikey frowned. “The Farwalkers? Wait a minute. Farwalker. Carson Farwalker. He’s one of the doctors here. I remember.”
Bernie laughed. “Yes. He’s married to Carlie Blair. Her dad is pastor of the local Methodist church. I don’t have a car, so they come